Nov 16 2010
Cognera Solar announced the opening of the solar cogeneration project at the Graton, California-based Sonoma Wine Company. A 272 kW solar system has been installed to supply heat and electricity for the company’s wine making operations.
The unique solar system combines solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies in a single solar array. The entire system comprises 15 individual Cogenra SunBase solar modules, offsetting 12,500 therms of natural gas, and 64,000 kW hours of electricity per year. The solar thermal system can provide enough heat to fuel the company’s wine barrel washing system and wine tank wash.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair at Cogenra Solar commissioning celebration on tour of Sonoma Wine Company with owner Derek Benham (to the left), Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures and Cogenra CEO Gilad Almogy (to the right)
Under its Heat and Power Purchase agreement, the Sonoma Wine Company will buy electricity and heat from Cognera, at fixed energy rates. As per the 15-year agreement, Cognera will be the owner of the solar modules, while Sonoma Wine Company will provide protection against the rising gas and electric prices throughout the deal period.
The solar cogeneration system will do away with about 120 metric tons of greenhouse gases annually. The switching on ceremony of the solar project was attended by Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the UK, and Vinod Khosla from Khosla Ventures.